Rush, County Dublin
Rush, County Dublin at a Glance
Costs: Moderate-expensive: $110-160 / day - ireland prices; dining and accommodation near Dublin push budgets up.
Safety: Very safe - very safe coastal commuter town; normal urban caution at night.
Best Time: May-September (best weather) - late spring to early autumn for best weather and coastal walks.
Why Visit Rush, County Dublin?
A coastal village north of Dublin, Rush draws day-trippers for wide sandy beaches, birdwatching at Rogerstown Estuary, and enduring fishing-harbour charm. Kite surfers and walkers favor Rush Strand while the harbour and town centre keep a relaxed local pace. Harbourfront pubs serve fresh seafood, and easy rail links to Dublin make it a convenient seaside addition to a city visit.
Best Things to Do in Rush, County Dublin
Museum
Kilmainham Gaol
Former Dublin prison now a history museum
Amusement Park
Guinness Storehouse
Interactive museum about Guinness brewing history
Tomb
Newgrange
Neolithic passage tomb older than Egyptian pyramids
Zoo
Dublin Zoo
Large city zoo in Phoenix Park, Dublin
Museum
National Museum of Ireland
Ireland's national museum preserving archaeology and cultural collections
Museum
James Joyce Tower and Museum
Georgian Martello tower housing James Joyce memorabilia
Stadium
Aviva Stadium
Modern Dublin stadium hosting rugby and football
Archaeological Site
Brú na Bóinne
Neolithic landscape with passage tombs at Boyne Valley
Rush, County Dublin Bucket List
Don't Miss
Rush Beach (Burrow Beach) - Sandy shore popular for long walks and kite-surfing on windy days.
Rush Golf Club - Links-course with coastal views, welcoming clubhouse and local golfing events.
Lusk Round Tower - Early medieval round tower beside St. MacCullin’s ruins, interesting local history.
Hidden Gems
Skerries Mills - Working windmills and a craft museum across the estuary in Skerries.
Velvet Strand viewpoints - Quiet headland viewpoints offering sea-watching, especially at sunrise and during migration.
Local seafood huts - Family-run huts serving fresh catch and simple coastal dishes near the harbour.
Day Trips
Lambay Island - Private island with seabird colonies and castle, boat trips depart nearby Skerries.
Howth - Coastal village with cliff walks, seafood restaurants and a busy fishing harbour.
Nearby Cities #
Best Time to Visit Rush, County Dublin
Best in late spring and summer (May-September) for warm, long days by the coast and refreshing sea breezes. Winters are mild but grey, windy and wetter.
Winter
Coldish, damp and windy with brief daylight; not ideal for long outdoor days but quieter and cheaper, and cozy pubs compensate.
Spring
Crisp, blooming and increasingly sunny; excellent for coastal walks before crowds arrive-pack a windproof jacket and waterproof shoes for muddy trails.
Summer
Pleasant, breezy and good for beaches and ferry trips; occasional rain and cool evenings keep things comfortable, so bring a light sweater.
Rush, County Dublin's climate is classified as Oceanic - Oceanic climate with mild summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 2°C to 20°C. Moderate rainfall (863 mm/year), distributed fairly evenly throughout the year.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Poor | 2° - 7° | 0° | 87 mm | overcast | 91% | 6.4 m/s | 0.0 low | 7.9h |
| February | Poor | 2° - 8° | 1° | 74 mm | overcast | 90% | 6.0 m/s | 0.2 low | 9.6h |
| March | Acceptable | 3° - 10° | 3° | 64 mm | overcast | 88% | 5.9 m/s | 0.4 low | 11.7h |
| April | Acceptable | 4° - 13° | 6° | 53 mm | overcast | 86% | 5.1 m/s | 0.8 moderate | 13.8h |
| May | Good | 7° - 15° | 11° | 55 mm | overcast | 84% | 4.8 m/s | 1.2 high | 15.7h |
| June | Good | 10° - 18° | 14° | 59 mm | overcast | 84% | 4.4 m/s | 1.5 high | 16.7h |
| July | Good | 12° - 20° | 16° | 62 mm | overcast | 85% | 4.3 m/s | 1.3 high | 16.2h |
| August | Good | 11° - 20° | 15° | 81 mm | overcast | 86% | 4.4 m/s | 1.1 high | 14.6h |
| September | Good | 9° - 17° | 13° | 72 mm | overcast | 87% | 5.0 m/s | 0.7 moderate | 12.5h |
| October | Acceptable | 7° - 14° | 10° | 83 mm | overcast | 88% | 5.5 m/s | 0.3 low | 10.4h |
| November | Acceptable | 4° - 10° | 3° | 85 mm | overcast | 90% | 5.7 m/s | 0.1 low | 8.4h |
| December | Poor | 3° - 8° | 1° | 88 mm | overcast | 91% | 6.1 m/s | 0.0 low | 7.3h |
How to Get to Rush, County Dublin
Rush (Co. Dublin) is a coastal commuter town north of Dublin reachable easily from Dublin Airport and Dublin city centre. The rail station Rush & Lusk and several bus routes make public transport convenient for day trips to the capital.
Dublin Airport (DUB): Dublin Airport is the main international gateway for Rush. From Dublin Airport, you can travel by taxi, bus or a combination of rail and bus to reach Rush; drive time is about 25-40 minutes depending on traffic.
Dublin City rail / bus connections: If arriving via other Irish airports, transfer to Dublin city centre and continue to Rush by public transport.
Train: Rush is served by the Dublin-Belfast rail corridor at the Rush & Lusk station (Irish Rail). Trains from Dublin Connolly to Rush & Lusk take around 30-40 minutes; fares are typically a few euros for a single journey.
Bus: Dublin Bus and private operators run routes between Dublin city and north County Dublin towns; buses provide alternative connections from the city, airport and suburban areas with variable travel times depending on traffic.
How to Get Around Rush, County Dublin
Train is the most reliable public option into Rush (Rush & Lusk station). For greater flexibility use a car or taxi; local buses and cycling handle short trips.
- Irish Rail (Rush & Lusk) (€3-6) - Rush & Lusk station on the Belfast-Dublin line is the quickest public option to reach Rush from Dublin. Trains from Dublin Connolly take around 30-40 minutes; check Irish Rail for timetable and ticket options (including return and off-peak fares).
- Dublin Bus / regional bus (€2-5) - Bus routes link Rush with surrounding towns and Dublin city; buses can be slower than trains during rush hour but useful for direct stops not served by rail. Have a Leap card or cash for fares.
- Taxi / private hire (€25-50) - Taxis provide door-to-door service from the airport or Dublin city; convenient with luggage or on late arrivals. Pre-book for certainty at peak times.
- Car / rental (€30-70/day) - Driving lets you explore the coastline and nearby Malahide, Skerries and Howth at your own pace. Parking in Rush is generally available but check restrictions in busy summer months.
- Cycling (€0-15/day) - Cycling is popular for short coastal trips and commuting to nearby towns; bring or hire a bike and follow local cycle lanes where provided.
- Walking - Rush’s seafront, beaches and village centre are very walkable; walking is ideal for short explorations and enjoying the coastline.
Where to Stay in Rush, County Dublin
Budget
Rush harbour / Main Street - €35-70/night
Small B&Bs and guesthouses around the harbour provide the main budget options. Rooms fill on summer weekends - reserve early.
Mid-Range
Harbour and coastal walk - €70-140/night
Comfortable guesthouses and boutique B&Bs offer good value, close to beaches and coastal walks. More choices available in nearby Skerries.
Luxury
Dublin city / premium hotels - €180+/night
No large luxury hotels in Rush; for premium amenities, look to Dublin city hotels about 30-40 minutes away by car.
Where to Eat in Rush, County Dublin
Breakdown of cuisine types found across Rush, County Dublin’s restaurants and food venues, based on OpenStreetMap data.
Nightlife in Rush, County Dublin
Nightlife in Rush is understated: local pubs and traditional music nights are the main options. It’s a good place for a relaxed pint and live folk sessions rather than clubbing.
For a broader evening scene, short trips to nearby towns or Dublin provide more variety.
Shopping in Rush, County Dublin
Shopping in Rush centres on local shops, cafés, and basic services; you’ll find grocers, pharmacies and a few independent retailers. For a wider retail selection, Dublin or larger suburbs are the go-to options.
Seasonal markets and seaside vendors add local character during summer.